Okazaki’s work-rate and selfless play has always been vital to City ’s play, but he is now adding to that with his prowess in front of goal, most recently scoring just before half-time in the Premier League defeat to Liverpool.

It is this form which is keeping out record signing Islam Slimani and £25million summer recruit Kelechi Iheanacho.

“Shinji has always been valuable to us,” said Shakespeare. “Coaches and managers talk about team players these days and the importance of the team rather than the individual and Shinji epitomises that.

“We have encouraged him to get into the box more. He is associated with hard work without the ball but as a forward we want him to contribute with goals as well.

“We told him we didn’t just want him to contribute outside the box, but inside the box as well. He has made a conscious effort and got his rewards as well.”